PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A day after he was found guilty of conspiracy and honest services fraud, labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty has announced his resignation from the union.
Dougherty, the longtime leader of IBEW Local 98, resigned as its business manager.
The board “reluctantly but unanimously accepted” his decision Monday night, shortly after his conviction. During the same meeting, the board elected Safety Director Mark Lynch to serve as the interim business manager.
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“I made this difficult but necessary decision to resign as Business Manager for the good of this union that has been my life’s work and passion,” Dougherty said in a statement. “I am leaving Local 98 in an incredibly strong position, financially and otherwise. We are among the most respected locals in the entire IBEW and our members enjoy the highest wages and best benefits package in the nation. … Local 98 is in great hands.”
Prosecutors said Dougherty, who was convicted alongside City Councilmember Bobby Henon, bribed Henon with campaign contributions and a union salary to do his bidding. Henon was also found guilty of conspiracy, bribery and eight counts of honest services fraud.
Both will be sentenced in February. Legally, Henon does not have to resign from his post until then.
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Dougherty was first elected as business manager in 1993.
Outside the courthouse on Monday, Local 98 spokesperson Frank Keel told reporters, “You guys don’t have any idea how much [Dougherty] does behind the scenes to move this city forward.”
He said his conviction was not only a blow to the union but to the city as a whole.